review: JAYS q-JAYS earphones

Official Specifications

Driver: Dual Micro Armatures
Isolation: JAYS Sound Isolating System
Sensitivity: 95 dB SPL @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 39 Ohm @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20 000 Hz

Cord type: PVC coated with Kevlar filling
Cord length: 60 cm (24 in)
Cord diameter: 2/1.5 mm (0,079/0,059 in)
Weight: 8 grams (0.46 oz)
Plug: Straight, Gold-Plated Stereo Mini-Plug 3.5 mm (1/8 in)

Accessories

q-JAYS Dual Armature Earphones
I-shaped extension cord, 90 cm (~35 inch)
L-shaped extension cord, 90 cm (~35 inch)
7 Pair of Silicon Rubber Sleeves (L, 2 x M, 2 x S, XS, XXS)
1 Pair of Foam Sleeves
4 Pair of Canal Filters
Airline Stereo Adapter – for listening to in-flight entertainment systems
Stereo Splitter – Used when listening two persons to the same sound source
Leather Carrying Case
User Guide in English, Swedish, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese

Overview
q-JAYS are manufactured by JAYS, a relatively new company to the high end earphone scene. JAYS claims to have the created the world’s smallest earphone. They’ve somehow managed to cram two dual armatures into a small housing. The earphones also come in a stylish and classy package that’s packed with a lot of accessories. The q-jays are available in 4 distinct colors (black, white, maroon red, and sea blue).

Sound

Highs: The q-jays have analytical and silky sweet highs; fortunately they are not enough to cause sibilance on tracks that emphasize them.

Mids: The mids are a bit recessed and laid back, causing them to seem overshadowed by the highs on some tracks.

Lows: The bass is balanced and the quantity is sufficient but rarely felt. This can be a bit problematic with certain genres.

Comfort

The q-jays are one of the most comfortable pair of earphones I have had, they feel almost weightless when worn. The sleeves are soft and very comfortable.

Design

JAYS used a brilliant design on these earphones; they fit snugly and are very minimal. They feature a small enough profile that would be comfortable to sleep++ with. The sound isolation is good but a bit sporadic; they seem better at blocking certain frequencies than others. It’s easier to hear your fingers typing on a keyboard than it is to listen to a conversation. With the q-jays sensitivity and impedance at 95 dB SPL @ 1 kHz and 39 Ohm @ 1 kHz respectively, they prevent most hissing from mp3 players but suffer from a lower volume than other earphones.

++not recommend sleeping with for safety reasons.

Conclusion

The q-jays sound great, however at its price point of $179USD, it faces stiff competition from similarly priced and arguably better Ultimate ears Super.fi 5pro and Etymotic Er4P.